Victoria Lozano, a rising senior on the Idaho women’s tennis team, qualified for the US Open National Playoffs with a chance to play in this year’s US Open after winning the mixed doubles draw at the USTA Missouri Valley Sectional Qualifying Tournament over the weekend.

Lozano teamed up with Patrick Smith to go 4-0 in the event and earn a spot in the US Open National Playoffs in August. Winners or top available finishers from the 13 sectional playoffs will compete for one spot in the 2013 US Open mixed doubles main draw, held Aug. 29 – Sept. 9 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

“This was a strong event for Vicky and she has earned an amazing experience with being able to play the qualifying event for a spot in the US Open mixed doubles,” Idaho Director of Tennis Jeff Beaman said. “Vicky has put a lot of hard work in already this summer and this was the first of several top level events she is playing before classes start this fall. Her goal is to go pro after her senior year and I am excited to see what she and the women’s team can accomplish this year and where she takes her tennis after college.”

Lozano isn’t the only Vandal finding success on the tennis court this summer. Student assistant Abid Akbar, who finished his four-year Idaho playing career in May, and redshirt-freshman Sam Laudon posted good results as well.

“Sam redshirted last year and I am excited to see him jump into competition this fall,” Beaman said. “He has a big game and understands doubles so he can make an impact for us this year.”

Akbar reached the singles quarterfinal at the Mehfooz Safar Federal Cup Tennis Championship in Pakistan after beating the No. 2 player in the nation, Yasir Khan, 6-4, 6-2. Akbar had to default in the singles quarterfinals in order to catch a flight back to the United States to work. He also teamed up with his brother, Babar Akbar, to reach the doubles semifinal, beating the No. 3 ranked team in the country before falling to the nation’s top-ranked duo.

“Abid had a great senior year and will be an excellent student assistant this upcoming year,” Beaman said. “He is looking to continue with his tennis and I feel he has an excellent chance of being on his countries Davis Cup team this year and if he pushes himself he can do well in entry level pro events, especially doubles where he showed his potential with his record the past two years and making the National Indoor Championships with Marius this past fall.”